Tuesday, March 22, 2016
Hiba Moeen
10 Comments

For those who are wondering what CSF is … well it’s an
abbreviation for Cerebrospinal fluid which we will come to later.

Strange
things have been happening with me lately. For example, dreaming about Richard
Branson speaking fluent Urdu and then today dreaming about attacking a good
former teacher’s house with a nuclear missile, later to witness a mediocre impact
with half the house melting. So basically, the attack was planned for his
laptop that had sensitive data stored. I don’t know if it’s the outcome of
watching ARROWlike crazy or whether the
flaw is embedded in me.

Life is good but even more unpredictable once you sit in a
CNG rickshaw, more so, if the driver seems frustrated with his own life!
Yesterday witnessed a good client meeting and a good conclusion of the work day
because I got off on time and everything seemed beautiful amidst the pollution of
the city.

I negotiated with a rickshaw driver to take me home and that
was it! Oh yes, that was it! He started flying immediately and that look on his
face was that of a suicidal warrior. He took an abrupt turn towards a small roundabout
outside which a dog was sleeping peacefully … very peacefully, despite the loud
traffic around. And he almost ran over it, which made me hold my breath until it was
over, not knowing that such an instance would not be the last. Meanwhile, the dog
continued with its peaceful slumber, completely unaware that it just skipped
death. These occurrences were to continue taking a toll on my life.

Till the time I was home, the rickshaw driver made sure that
the exhilarating ride witnessed no break; he rode with the same speed for every
bump in the road there was, where we landed and took flight again. He went on without
considering for a moment that these road bumps must be avoided, he drove past them with the same not-happy-with-things-at-all look on his face. I cursed
myself for not yet having the guts to start driving on my on (despite training)
or not driving since a few months at all. There were moments when I had to grab
the poles with both my hands … ok let’s not exaggerate, there was just one
moment when the rickshaw went down from the flyover along its steep curve, let
me admit, it was fun as well.

These days the city is being paid attention to in terms of
arranging seasonal flowers along footpaths and pavements and then there are
billboards reminding you of consumerism erupting out of sheer environmentalism. So seemingly,
there are some brands that have announced 23% off on account of the Pakistan
Resolution Day on March 23, 2016. I liked the artwork of Gul Ahmed hoardings being put up that gave a vintage feel. I couldn't capture a proper picture as I mentioned the rickshaw was flying and I was enjoying (as well and not entirely).

It
was trying to attract the 40 million middle class living in Pakistan that
contributes to 20% per annum consumer spending growth, well, according to an
article published in the Express Tribune
today, Pakistan’s documented economy is worth $270 billion while taking account
of the undocumented economy, its estimated to be worth $400 billion. Woah! So
we’re not just tax paying fools, we are contributing to the economy as well
which apparently shows up in the form of bumpy roads for vehicles to drive on,
not to mention the lack of water, gas, and electricity.

Anyway, by the time I reached home, I realised that I was
reduced to a mere CSF Shake (as mentioned at the beginning and it was swishing in my head ... throbbing). I further realised that I won’t
simply perish with my name staying unrecognised and not being mentioned on the
likes of the Hall of Fame as Coke recently sent me a customised can with my
name written on it. Well, yes this is my official spelling and this is not a spelling
mistake by the company, though my ‘alter egos’ are feeling jealous by my real self after knowing that this has happen on a Coke can *giggles*.

#PakistanKeNaam

Thank you, Coca-Cola! Yes, please take note, this is how you
spell Coca-Cola, with a hyphen in between.

Happy March 23rd everyone! Hoist the flags high!

Here's the amazing advertisement by Coca-Cola, titled, 'Pakistan Ke Naam' that I can't get enough of:

Yey! Youtube is working in Pakistan!

Disclaimer: Rickshaw rides are fun, do not generalise your perception or your opinion based on this short episode. But you must opt for LPG run Vespa Rickshaws over CNG Rickshaws as the former appear shock proof. :)

Some of them actually drive their rickshaws as if they were racing cars but unfortunately these vehicles feel like a cardboard box being dragged at high speed ... and of course, the old fashioned Vespa rickshaws still feel like racing cars to an extent, they're more like mini flying planes. :P